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Certain Scottsdale schools return to online learning effective, Dec. 1

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SCOTTSDALE COMMERCE & NEWS
IN THE KNOW
Scottsdale-based Plexus visits USS Arizona Memorial to pay tribute

A Scottsdale-based health and wellness company focused on health and happiness, paid tribute to veterans by visiting the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens on Veteran’s Day. During the event, …

Cushman & Wakefield brokers sale of $17 million Scottsdale property

Rapid, drive-thru COVID-19 testing available in Scottsdale

The McRae Agency celebrates 25 years in business

2 Arizona women-owned businesses blaze own trails of success through innovation, perseverance and passion

NEWS
Real estate

Scottsdale: A seller's market for home owners

While Scottsdale’s real estate market remains advantageous for sellers, the historically low interest rates have encouraged buyers amid the pandemic. Scottsdale, as well as other cities in …

Thanksgiving may harvest COVID-19 banquet for Scottsdale schools

Dedicated teachers, staff, students and parents are among many things Scottsdale Unified School District leaders are thankful for while bracing themselves during the upcoming weeks to digest the Thanksgiving break leftovers.
Government

Old Town Scottsdale marijuana amendment continued to spring 2021

A proposed change to decrease spacing requirements in Old Town Scottsdale between marijuana facilities and protected uses has been pushed off until March 2021. The Scottsdale Planning Commission, …
Government

Scottsdale seeks input on 70th Street biking

As part of the city’s effort to provide a comfortable and connected bicycle network, Scottsdale Transportation is conducting a Neighborhood Bikeway Study for a 2.5-mile corridor connecting …
COVID-19

Scottsdale COVID-19 cases jump by more than 700 in one week

There have been 781 new COVID-19 cases reported within Scottsdale city limits in the past seven days, new numbers show. Numbers provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services on Nov. 23 …
Education

The power of support: Community reinforcement strengthens Scottsdale Schools' success during pandemic

What started as a novelty turned into a boring routine for Scottsdale Unified School District elementary students and parents alike. COVID-19 flipped the academia world upside down, and for age …

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SCOTTSDALE OPINION

LaSota: Key differences lead to Scottsdale support not opposition

I often times find myself on the opposite side of significant zoning changes, but I am supporting the Scottsdale Collection. Below are my reasons why, but it is primarily because the Scottsdale …

Shufelt: Giving thanks, even in the midst of pandemic

We all are well aware of how different 2020 has been — a pandemic, a contentious election, social unrest, the hottest summer on record — all of these have frayed everyone’s nerves. …

Brown: ‘You can’t postpone hunger’ Scottsdale Community Partners needs you

The season of giving is upon us, and Scottsdale Community Partners needs you now more than ever. Founded 45 years ago as Concerned Citizens for Community Health, Scottsdale Community Partners …

Opinion: Celebrating the school staff that support Scottsdale students

National Educational Support Professionals Day this year is Nov. 18. This day was founded by the National Education Association in 1987 to honor the contributions of school and district support …

Janik & Durham: #endyouthsuicide event at Chaparral Park this week

This year it seems more important than ever to focus on mental health and suicide prevention. 2020 has been a whirlwind of unforeseen events: COVID-19; Social distancing; Job losses; …
Ryan Goodman

Goodman: Improving cities starts with removing cars

The story of Phoenix, Arizona is the story of sprawl. After World War II, when cars, air conditioning, and home loans became affordable for the middle class, Phoenix’s population boomed. In …

DeMuro: Reading Scottsdale Independent is ‘a pleasure’

I continually stay impressed with the Independent. I just finished the Nov. 1 issue of the Scottsdale paper. I enjoyed the articles on 5G, fires in Scottsdale and the real estate market. I …

Vallante: A note of gratitude to Arizona small businesses

As the regional administrator for the Pacific Rim for SBA, and as associate administrator for the office of field operations, I’ve had the honor to work closely with small business owners …
Scottsdale City Hall is at 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Scottsdale Councilwomen: Congratulations to Scottsdale candidates

Editor’s Note: The results from the Nov. 3 General Election remain unofficial and ballots continue to be counted. Final results will be available at a later date.  We extend the warmest …

Calderon: Thoughts on America's sharp divide

My thoughts about the country's sharp divisions is that we've gone from political discourse to "identity politics," fueled principally by the demise of local newspapers and reporting.  How, you …

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SCOTTSDALE EDUCATION
Photo by Arianna Grainey

Students overcome added learning challenges presented by COVID-19 changes

Muffling voices and covering lips — masks have made it more difficult for hard-of-hearing students to learn this semester. From online learning to a hybrid model for in-person classes, …

Scottsdale school board candidates uphold education optimism

From electing the U.S. president to selecting local governing board members of the Scottsdale Unified School District, new leadership is preparing to take the helm in January.
Julie Cieniawski, Libby Hart-Wells and Zach R. Lindsay solidified their efforts in the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board race to occupy vacant school board seats.

Scottsdale Schools switching board members for 2nd semester

As the Scottsdale Unified School District prepares for its second semester, district changes will include three new faces to the governing board at the beginning of the year.
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Scottsdale Neighbors & Business Reporting
Neighbors
Nonprofit

Hunkapi debuts new covered riding arena

Scottsdale-based Hunkapi Programs hosted a grand opening ceremony on Nov. 7 to celebrate the completion of its new covered area. The 175-foot by 130-foot covered, steel riding arena was …

Chapman Ford has school supply drive through Dec. 4

Scottsdale-based Chapman Ford and Ford Motor Company has launched a school supply drive to benefit Tonalea K-8 School in the Scottsdale Unified School District.
Neighbors

Scottsdale’s Kevin Karp to appear on Jeopardy!, Nov. 18

Kevin Karp, a screenwriter from Scottsdale, is scheduled to compete on Jeopardy! – “America’s Favorite Quiz Show” – on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Scottsdale student wins Marine Corps art contest

Harris Richardson, of Scottsdale,  was awarded third place in the Second Annual National Student Art Competition conducted by the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Scottsdale tribe builds 5-acre memorial to USS Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) — The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has built the 5-acre memorial near Scottsdale as a tribute to those who were aboard the USS Arizona when it was attacked and sank at …

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Business

Firasat Hussain has joined the company, “arriva” as its chief information officer and brings more than 23 years of experience in information technology.

Land Advisors Organization’s Metropolitan Phoenix office has announced the sale of The Asteria Highlands project, a 38.4-acre development site in north Scottsdale. The site is situated on …

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Scottsdale Entertainment
The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Highways and Dierks Bentley collaborate for a virtual performance of "I Love You Arizona."

The Phoenix Symphony notes: ‘I Love You Arizona’ in virtual show

The Phoenix Symphony has found a new way to express its admiration and pride for Arizona as its 66 musicians created a virtual performance of the Rex Allen, Jr. song “I Love You Arizona.”
Mourning the Losses 1-5, these small works on paper have been hand-embossed using only limited tools and hand pressure (without a traditional press). Each work depicts a flag and has a black stripe of mourning.

Artist Saskia Jorda’s ‘Prayer for America’ exhibits through Inauguration Day

The Walter Art Gallery presents, "Prayer for America," which is the artist Saskia Jorda’s reflection on the present political climate by intertwining the patriotic symbol of an American flag with a religious symbol of the prayer bead.
Casey Wakefield shown with her mixed media and oil on canvas artwork at Royse Contemporary, displaying her exhibit: "Into Another Light,” which opens virtually to the public on Dec. 9 via Royse Contemporary Facebook Page; then a public opening from 6-9 p.m.  on Thursday, Dec. 10 with an opportunity to meet the artist and curator.

Royse Contemporary presents ‘Into Another Light’

Royse Contemporary is hosting “Into Another Light,” which is the debut solo exhibition of Casey Wakefield.
Artist Niki Woehler opens has opened first gallery and working art studio at 7056 E. Main Street.

Scottsdale artist Woehler opens her first art gallery

Artist Niki Woehler has opened her first gallery and working art studio in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale at 7056 E. Main Street.

City of Scottsdale celebrates 5th Annual Scottsdazzle

This month marks the fifth year of Scottsdazzle, the City of Scottsdale’s annual holiday extravaganza. To ensure safety amid the time of COVID-19, the city’s elves have been busy …
A free socially-distanced visit with Santa from Storybook Entertainment will be held with photos for children from 1– 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 in front of the fountain on High Street in City North in Desert Ridge Santa.

Families can get free photos with Santa

Three Valley real estate industry companies are collecting money and toys for Homeward Bound, which is a nonprofit that helps struggling families experiencing homelessness.
From left: Actors Bobby Havens (Adult Ralph), Grady Mulligan (Randy), Roy Thielen (The Old Man), Annemarie Mulligan (Mother), and Charlie Budd (Ralphie).

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre presents ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY THE PLAY’

Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, announces a return to live theatre with the opening of its traditional holiday production of A CHRISTMAS STORY THE PLAY.

Legacy Gallery presents Small Works Show, Dec 10-31

Legacy Gallery, 7178 E. Main Street in the Scottsdale Arts District, will hold its annual Small Works Show in time for the holiday season.
A public opening, with an opportunity to meet some of the featured artists and the curator, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, coinciding with the special “Canal Convergence” Scottsdale ArtWalk.

Royse Contemporary will have public opening for 'Emotions Revisited'

Royse Contemporary will present “Emotions Revisited,” an exhibition exploring feelings, expression of emotion, and knowledge through emotion translated into artwork and the creative process.
Diedrick Brackens' cotton and acrylic yarn piece entitled, “Through the eye unburnt and blameless,” 2020. He will showcase, “Ark of Bulrushes” at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’s PROJECT SPACE exhibit.

‘PROJECT SPACE’ to feature artist Brackens at SMoCA

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art debuts ‘PROJECT SPACE’ with new works by Diedrick Brackens featuring "textiles with ideas of agency to advance change," Feb. 6 – Aug. 22, 2021.

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